Metcalf hits 62 in Rams win

Northowram Fields, leaders in the Bradford League’s Conference, continued their excellent run with a seven-wicket home win over Crossbank Methodists.

In a game which started at 3.15 after heavy showers, the visitors from Birstall were limited to 94 for nine in their 27 overs with paceman Josh Bennett-Keer (four for 26) and Jonathan Lee (three for 18) doing much of the damage.

The Rams knocked off the runs in 16 overs. Chris Metcalf hit 62 and was adjudged leg before with the scores level, skipper John Lister coming in to push the winning single.

Buttershaw St Paul’s crushed Great Preston in the third versus second contest and Saints, with two games in hand, look big threats to the leaders.

Lightcliffe slipped to eighth in the top flight with a four-wicket home defeat at the hands of a Cleckheaton side who had failed to win in their previous five outings.

In a game reduced to 30 overs per side, skipper Alex Stead again showed the way for Lightcliffe with 89 not out, an unbeaten 89 off 78 balls, including nine fours and four sixes.

He shared an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership of 86 with Jonathan Wilson, who made 40 not out.

Johnny Whiteoak hit the stumps twice early on when Cleckheaton replied but Lightcliffe’s bowlers were unable to defend the total and the visitors won with two overs with wicketkeeper Mally Nicholson unbeaten on 68.

Brighouse were no match for second-placed visitors Wrenthorpe in Championship B.

The visitors scored 225 for six in 40 overs with Darryl Hendricks (86), Jordan Sleightholme (45) and Jonathan Rudge (33 no) make life tough for the home attack.

Danyaal Ahmed (three for 67) fared best of the home bowlers.

Jayan Mistry made 30 at the top of the Brighouse order and Awaise Hussain a defiant 34 at the end but the home men were limited to 158 for nine.

Barkisland and Elland were both beaten in the Huddersfield League’s Premiership.

Leaders Delph and Dobcross romped to a 10-wicket home win over Barkisland, ex-Elland player Greg Buckley (60 no) and Chris Laker (59 no) needing only 12.1 overs to overtake the visitors 127 for seven off 25 overs.

All-rounder Alex Scholefield made 48 for the visitors and skipper Darren Robinson 21 not out.

Visitors Armitage Bridge made 198 for eight off 45 overs at Elland with Imran Malik (49) top scoring and Mark Hinchliffe (three for 34) the most successful bowler.

Elland made a bold bid to gain a much-needed win with Robin Broom (70) again to the fore. Opener Liam Fletcher hit 45 but six-wicket Dan Moorhouse helped dismiss the Hullen Edge men for 179.

Todmorden moved up a place to 11th in the Lancashire League after following up Friday’s T20 home win over next to bottom Accrington in a 10-run league success at Thorneyholme Road.

In a game reduced to 29 overs per side, the visitors looked vulnerable when Simon Hanson took a career best six for 62 to limit them to 143 for eight.

Professional Ashton Turner continued his good form with 58 from 59 balls while opener Simon Newbitt contributed 37.

Matt Collins struck twice early on to put the hosts on the back foot and Turner took three for 72 as Accrington were restricted to 133 for six.

Illingworth slipped into the relegation zone in Division Two of the Aire/Wharfe League after a rained off home match against Calverley.

Teams further afield managed to play and some moved above the Halifax League-bound Jammy Green men, but the gap is still narrow between the bottom five teams.